It’s that time of the season again, folks. When you’re just as likely to catch chills from the prospect of a Trump presidency as the weather itself. So we’ve opted to get you ready for either case. Today we’re rolling out The Legends Of The Fall clothing collection, so you can keep warm beneath the motifs of hip-hop’s supreme sultans of rhythm and rhyme.

These are the products of no ordinary seed: we’ve got tees and hoodies inspired by OKP’s finest such as Yasiin Bey, The Roots,and Jay Dee (not to mention the blessing of the real-life Umis.) This year we’re bringing back some classics, as well as introducing some new swag, like the lush tie-dye “Legendary Roots Crew” hoodies. You’ll also find an ox-red, Pablo-tinged long-sleeve adorned with the light-shining wisdom of the great Umi herself (and its black & white fair-weather alternative.) And let’s not forget that Dilla script three-quarters length that’s ripe and ready for the ballpark with a short-sleeve variation for the little(st) ones (’cause Dilla’s for the kids too.)

For the high-fashion heads we’ve got that “Engine Engine No. 9” print back in rotation. Finally, everyone’s favorite illustrations are blazed across the chest of deep blue hoodies for the cartoon-clad crews of our day. All these things and more are ready for your perusal in The OKP Shop, but we suggest you arrive on time.

These joints, like the artists that inspired them, are in a class of their own. Be sure to stay tuned for the holidaze, as we’ve got plenty more in store for you.

The Roots brought their legendary Roots Picnic to New York City for the first time this weekend: the perfect occasion for Black Thought to bring a slew of rap legends, including two original Juice Crew members, on stage to rhyme over DJ Marley Marl’s classic posse cut “The Symphony.”

Black Thought and DJ J. Period have a live mixtape series, and on Sunday, they brought legendary rappers, past and present, on stage for a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

How’s this for a lineup: original Juice Crew members Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap, Royce Da 5’9″, Pharoahe Monch, Freeway, and Smif-N-Wessun. All of them took a shot at the iconic instrumental from “The Symphony,” Marley Marl’s legendary 1988 posse cut with with his Juice Crew compatriots Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane.

The performance is part of an entire weekend of memories from the first Roots Picnic in New York City, after years of the festival being an exclusive Philadelphia tradition. See our Saturday recap with photos of D’Angelo,John Mayer, and Dave Chappelle, and stay tuned for a recap of Sunday’s performances, headlined by Wu-Tang Clan.

]]>http://www.okayplayer.com/news/black-thought-calls-big-daddy-kane-kool-g-rap-more-for-symphony-2016-at-roots-picnic-ny.html/feed0J.Period, Rhymefest, Pharoahe Monch + More To Perform At NMAAHC Openinghttp://www.okayplayer.com/news/j-period-nmaahc-opening.html
http://www.okayplayer.com/news/j-period-nmaahc-opening.html#respondFri, 23 Sep 2016 23:11:13 +0000http://www.okayplayer.com/?p=106997J. Period will be performing an important set in a few days. The opening weekend for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is upon keep reading »

J. Periodwill be performing an important set in a few days.The opening weekend for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is upon us. The festivities, which are sure to not only be historic but exciting include performances from TheRoots, Public Enemy, Living Colour, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Experience Unlimited. And on Sunday, September 25th starting at 3pm a special edition of J.Period’s lauded Live Mixtape series will be coming to the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The performances will also feature sets from Pharoahe Monch, Rhymefest, M1, Kandace Springs, Maimouna Youssef, Stro Elliot, Masego, Dres, and others. The show will take place at the Sylvan Theater which is on the grounds of the Washington Monument at the National Mall. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival has partnered with America Divided and W.K. Kellogg Foundation to present the show. The event, which is entitled, The Live Mixtape: Remixing The Narrative, is described as exploring and remixing “African-American musical history from its origins in the drum, through the freedom and improvisation of jazz, the struggle of Civil Rights protest music, and the power and electricity of hip hop.” Click here for more information on the show.

]]>http://www.okayplayer.com/news/j-period-nmaahc-opening.html/feed0Killer Mike, Big Boi + More Will Testify On Hip Hop’s Behalf In Front Of The Supreme Court Todayhttp://www.okayplayer.com/news/killer-mike-big-boi-pharoahe-monch-testify-hip-hop-first-amendment.html
http://www.okayplayer.com/news/killer-mike-big-boi-pharoahe-monch-testify-hip-hop-first-amendment.html#commentsMon, 21 Dec 2015 18:35:13 +0000http://www.okayplayer.com/?p=96531“Anyone who is learned in law is capable of separating art and lyrics, whether you agree with them or not, and actual human behavior. I keep reading »

“Anyone who is learned in law is capable of separating art and lyrics, whether you agree with them or not, and actual human behavior. I think the courts understand it when it’s Johnny Cash. I think they understand it when it’s Robert Nesta Marley.”

Those words are borrowed from a statement that Killer Mike delivered to the New York Times regarding today’s Supreme Court hearing of one Taylor Bell, who currently raps under the name T-Bizzle. Back in 2011, Bell was suspended and forced to transfer to a new school after the release of a song that brought to light the sexual harassment of students at his initial school by a pair of coaches.

Bell sued the institution on the basis of clear First Amendment violations, but was ruled against by a majority opinion that held his grammar and spelling as more egregious offenses than those committed by sexual deviants like the coaches in question at his former school. The case has been appealed to no avail, but today, in front of the Supreme Court, an all-star roster of emcees will testify on behalf of Bell and hip hop at large, seeking to have the case heard in the nation’s highest court. Amongst the roster of defenders lay cherished names like Pharoahe Monch, Big Boi, T.I. and, of course, Mike himself, who has taken on the cause in stride.

Though they will all step before the Supreme Court today, an official decision on hearing the case likely will not come down until early next year. Keep you eyes on us for updates.

]]>http://www.okayplayer.com/news/killer-mike-big-boi-pharoahe-monch-testify-hip-hop-first-amendment.html/feed2Hear Pharoahe Monch Body The Mic w/ A Blistering Freestyle On Dr. Dre’s ‘The Pharmacy’http://www.okayplayer.com/news/pharoahe-monch-dr-dre-the-pharmacy-freestyle-audio.html
http://www.okayplayer.com/news/pharoahe-monch-dr-dre-the-pharmacy-freestyle-audio.html#respondMon, 14 Dec 2015 19:58:17 +0000http://www.okayplayer.com/?p=96265Things have been quiet on the Pharoahe Monch front as of late. Last we heard from the Queens native, he was lining up with Talib keep reading »

Things have been quiet on the Pharoahe Monch front as of late. Last we heard from the Queens native, he was lining up withTalib Kweli and 9th Wonderon Indy 500, but the weekend saw him stepping into the booth with yet another living legend, blazing bars over a righteous instrumental on the latest installment of Dr. Dre‘s always-dope The Pharmacyprogram on Beats 1. Over 2-minutes of fiery funk chops, Monch goes off the rails; an A-1 performance for the ages, showing just how few emcees truly live with in his ranks and, of course, garnering the praises of the Doctor himself. It’s a rare showcase of the mighty wordsmith at work and it’s available for you to stream down below, courtesy of the good folks at Monch’s W.A.R. Media, who ripped his segment for all the world hear. Peep Pharoahe Monch’s blistering Pharmacy freestyle and hold tight for all the dope-ness that is to come from one of the best in the game to date, dead or alive. If you’ve yet to hear last year’s ferocious PTSD LP, jump back and peep or head over to iTunes to cop.

It’s been a minute since some genuine high-caliber Throwback Thursday material graced our front page, and we’re oh so happy to rectify the matter. Earlier today Tim Westwood uploaded a rare 2001 in-studio freestyle recording that features Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Philly native son Last Emperor all catching wreck atop Erick Sermon‘s fantastic instrumental cut “Music” (sadly it sounds as if the Marvin Gaye howls have been chopped off of this one, though.

Queens NYC man Monch is all too happy to jump in first, spitting about orangutan slang and strong-arm gorillas, but shit really pops off once Talib Kweli takes over. “Like tae bo in a bowtie, I kick your ass with class / And I still take it to Brooklyn when I’m ready to splash / Me and Hi-Tek got you ready to blast / I’m ever-ready to last / I stay hungry like I’m ready to fast / Married to the movement like I’m Betty Shabazz” …Honestly, are you not entertained?

It’s amazing enough to hear these three men do their thing all in the same room (don’t worry, Emperor absolutely tears it up as well), but really, like all great throwbacks, the timing is everything. Today, Monch and Kweli are working together to keep Indie 500 going strong, and it’s clear now it’s all about this kind of groundwork the two laid 15 years ago, one bar at at time. Listen to it below.

Dirty Dozen (D12) member and certified hypeman for Eminem, dEnAuN, better known as Mr. Porter, makes his return to the forefront with a new animated video.

“Cooking,” which features fellow Detroit rhyme legend Royce Da 5’9″ and Brooklyn good guy, Pharoahe Monch, is the fifth visual that is stemming from dEnAuN’s Stuff In My Backpack project that was released back in May.

Directed by Stack Moses, the clip features some crazy animation and cool cameos from Marv Won, Young Roc and Slim Shady, himself. The storyline features Royce, Pharoahe and dEnAuN traveling to a restaurant owned and ran by comedian Hannibal Buress. Each MC delivers a stir fry fresh verse that will surely stick to your ribs.

Stuff In My Backpack is currently available to purchase on iTunes, while those in Brazil, Argentina and Chile can catch dEnAuN on stage with Eminem for Lollapalooza.

Something they like to call Indie 500. Well, good people, it appears the trio is off to the races with the new project, releasing the first single “Pay Ya Dues;” a top-down, ride-out-into-the-sunset type joint, featuring Watts ambassador Bad Luccand Compton’s own Problemrocking over a smooth, soul-smothered chop from Eric G., who fills in for 9th as Jamla’s rep on the track. While neither Pharoahe or 9th land on this one, you can be sure the next drop will have the furious trio in full-form, with the project slated for a November 4th release. Hold yourself over with “Pay Ya Dues” below and catch Talib Kweli on the road over the next few months to feel the funk live and direct.

]]>http://www.okayplayer.com/news/talib-kweli-problem-bad-lucc-9th-wonder-indie-500-pay-ya-dues-mp3.html/feed0A3C Festival Is Invading Atlanta 10/7-10/11 w/ De La Soul, Rakim, Pete Rock, Just Blaze & Many More!http://www.okayplayer.com/news/a3c-festival-2015-line-up.html
http://www.okayplayer.com/news/a3c-festival-2015-line-up.html#respondTue, 22 Sep 2015 20:46:54 +0000http://www.okayplayer.com/?p=92548It’s that time of the year again, folks. When the good people of A3C gather hip-hop’s most celebrated crews to rock under the ATLien sun. This keep reading »

It’s that time of the year again, folks. When the good people of A3C gather hip-hop’s most celebrated crews to rock under the ATLien sun. This year’s line-up, like last and the years before that, is a heavy one, touching on generations old and new, wrangling De La Soul, Rakim, Pete Rock, Just Blaze, Jungle Brothers, Beanie Siegel, Sonny Digital, Curren$y and too many more to name in these few hundred words, though we have the full list down below for you to peruse as you bust that credit card and cop your passes. The festival will take place October 7th through the 11th in Atlanta’s old 4th ward and it will feature panel discussions with some of the best in the biz alongside the monstrous roster of performers. Peep the full list below and hit the link to for ticketing info and the full schedule for the weekend.

But for those that couldn’t book the trip, our very own Sama’an Ashrawi has offered us a rare glimpse into the the inner-workings of that evening, where some of hip-hop’s brightest and sharpest aligned to inscribe Brown’s name indelibly onto the annals of our nation, the very same one that took him at the age of 18 and made no exception for the countless that we’ve lost to a police force that seems to have put black men, women and children in its crosshairs. Get a behind the scenes tour of Talib Kweli’s “Ferguson Is Everywhere” concert below and keep the flames burning for the families of all those still healing from the loss of their loved ones. We will never forget.